The Jerry Winger Memorial1959-2004 and BeyonD

(all articles created by Rick
Kavanagh)

Jerry Winger was a young talented racer,
who started his career when Merrittville Speedway opened its
gates on July 1, 1952. Immediately, this 18 year old’s
driving talents surfaces as he would win Merrittville’s
track championship in 1953 and repeat again in 1957.

During this time, Jerry would establish
his talent for fast, clean, sportsmanlike driving, that
brought him not only success, but also admiration from his
competitors.

Unfortunately, from 1958-1959, Jerry
Winger would not be able to defend his championships, due to
illness and would pass away during the 1959 season. At that
time, Merrittville Speedway’s owners would retire his #10
forever and his crew would establish the Jerry Winger
Memorial Award, which would be awarded to the winner of a
special feature night once a year.

The award was lost for many years and was
finally tracked down by Merrittville’s Reunion Committee,
and was returned to us. Rick Kavanagh along with his
father, former track owner Ken Kavanagh, restored the
trophy, so it could again be presented, this time on our
annual Reunion Night. During our 2003 season, veteran
modified pilot Brian Stevens was awarded the Jerry Winger
Memorial Trophy.

After a hard fought 52-lap race, he
stated, “This has been one night’s race, that I have always
wanted to win.” You see Brian is a second-generation racer,
whose father Ray was competitor and later car builder whose
career dates back to the opening of Merrittville Speedway
and one of our many “Wall of Fame Inductees”.